Govt totally neglecting Gujjars, Bakerwals: Hakla

Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Jan 13: Shamsher Hakla Poonchi, prominent Gujjar leader said that the Gujjar and Bakerwal community living in far flung areas of the State especially in the secluded hilly belts have been totally neglected totally by the State Government.
Hakla criticized the J&K Government for not allocating funds in the financial Budget for the welfare and development of Gujjar Bakerwal community. He said that Gujjar Bakerwal community of J&K mostly resides in hilly, far flung and mountainous areas near forest and on the LOC of the Indo-Pak and they needed special attention for welfare and development. Gujjar Bakerwal community has its habitation in almost 20 districts of J&K state and their inhabitations are lacking in facility like road communication, electricity, water supply schemes, medical facilities and educational facilities which put them in lots of hardships and troubles, he added.
He said the needs and the problems of Gujjar Bakerwal community are quite different from other communities of J&K State. Language and culture of Gujjar-Bakerwal community is different and as such the community has a distinct identity. Hakla said that Gujjar Bakerwal community of the State is socially, educationally, economically and politically backward.
Hakla said it has proved that the State Government is not working for the welfare and upliftment of Gujjar Bakerwal community whole heartedly and all claims made in this regard are totally hollow.